LONDON – On June 15, it was announced by the new Japanese LCC (low-cost carrier) ZIPAIR Tokyo that they will be starting new scheduled services to San Jose in the United States.
The new San Jose Service…
ZIPAIR Tokyo (TZP) is a relatively new kid on the block in the Japanese aviation sector, having only commenced operations back in June 2020. However, the carrier is majority owned by Japan’s flag carrier airline, Japan Airlines.
As part of this announcement, ZIPAIR Tokyo has said it will begin operating to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) in California by the end of 2022, using its small fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft from its home base at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT).
The new San Jose service will mark the carriers third destination to the U.S., with the other two being Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) which started back in December 2021 and Hawaii’s Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) that started back in December 2020.
Overall, it will be the carrier’s seventh destination, besides the two other U.S. destinations above and the carrier’s home base. The other three destinations are: Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN), Seoul’s Incheon Airport (ICN) and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
Some of the main details of the new San Jose service are still yet to be announced in terms of the flight numbers, departure and arrival times, weekly frequency, but it should be soon when those details are revealed by ZIPAIR Tokyo.
However, the route is scheduled to inaugurate in December 2022.
Commenting on the new route announcement, ZIPAIR Tokyo’s President, Shingo Nishida, has said, “We are pleased to announce the launch of our new service to Mineta San Jose International Airport in December 2022.”
“With the convenient nonstop flight between Tokyo Narita and Northern California, we certainly look forward to welcoming more visitors to travel between the U.S. and Asia.”
Adding to Nishida’s comments, San Jose Mayor, Sam Liccardo has said, “We’re thrilled to welcome ZIPAIR and its unique, low-cost service, which complements the international service we continue to attract to San Jose International Airport.”
“ZIPAIR’s announcement reflects renewed global confidence in the strength of the San Jose market and the continued importance of Silicon Valley.”
San Jose’s Director of Aviation, John Aitken, also says, “ZIPAIR represents a new kind of airline that leverages technology to provide an efficient, more accessible travel experience, a perfect fit for San Jose and Silicon Valley.”
ZIPAIR Tokyo currently operates a small fleet of just four Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, all of which are leased from its parent company, Japan Airlines. All four aircraft have 290 total seats on board, broken down as 18 full-flat business class and 272 economy class seats.
Overall…
Its great to see ZIPAIR Tokyo yet again further expanding its international destinations outreach, enabling customers at those airport catchment areas the ability to have affordable low-cost long-haul travel to Asia.
Also, with new destinations comes the need for additional aircraft should the demand need for it so it is likely that ZIPAIR Tokyo will soon reveal plans to add additional aircraft to its fleet.
